New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-30
WHY CRIMINAL GASES ARE DELLA IED
STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE IVES BILL.

INCREASED FACILITIES FOR COURTs-HOw Mr..
MARITIME is HAMPERED
Assembyman Ivess bill providing for an increase In
number judges OF the General Sessions from three
seven and for the erection of new building devoted
criminal justice I'm this city, introduced AT Albany
apparently his own responsibility. NO one
OF the principal officers OF the municipal gov
eminent Is willing TO acknowledge any con-
nection with IL, and approves It,.
It subjected serious criticism on the part OF
those who favor the erection Of such building and tho
increase laws machinery tc- dealing with criminal
cases. is conceded all sides tina. there il no proper
accommodation for the criminal courts the coroners or
the tAtorney and that the force of prosecutors
and judges s inadequate to the proper administration OF
Justice But the details of this particular measure are
not looked upon favorably.
Ever since Mr. MARITIME has been In Office he has
been endeavoring to ampler machinery for
the disposition Of his rapidly increasing load OF In
dctments. He intended, before the Broadway bribery
began make this reform the chief object of his
administration 1t TO accomplish this that he secured
the energetic services OF Assistant DstrictAtorney
Nicoll Presuming that they entering upon quiet
and orderly term, they determined to signalize it by
wipug ont the accumulated list Of over 5000 nntrcd in
dictments and by rendering it possible for indicted
to DO tried within at least sixty days
after the Grand Jury had brought in bill against him.
They found that they going TO encounter
rious difficulties in eectng any marked reform The Re-
corder and associate judges Mcssrs Cowing and Gil
dersleeve, had arranged calendar by which only two
parts of the court kept running all the time each
Judge sitting months In the year and resting five.
When Mr. MARITIME applied for third part the judges
answered that there room TO hold 1t in. They
willing enough to sit IL the DisrctAtorney could
get them courtroom.
In attempting to do this the adverse power OF the poll
tcans was felt All the bosses worked wires to de-
feat the scheme. The ability to delay trials OF
great influence TO q boss Iri,on cases OF course nh
for the District Attorney with only two courts to empty
if the boss could lind bail for his man the chances
ten to one that he would not get tried within three
to occur which would render his conviction impossible In
this way thousands criminals have entirely escaped
punishment and have been turned at large TO continue
their lives OF crime, unembarrassed by the Inv.
The District Attorney called the attention OF three
to the Court demanding increase OF facilities. The
Mayor pcttoned. the Board of Aldermen argued
upon those In power TO secure third courtroom
Finally It was decided that the Receiver OF
secure accommodations elsewhere and that his
should be occupied as criminal court Controller Ioew
Receiver leased offices In Walkerst The Board OF EST
mate and AppOrtonment was asked to pay $4,000 for
For long while the project hung fire. The only ntel
from President Coleman Of the Tax Department, who
was unwilling that his Receiver OF Taxes should
be- sent so lar away fro ho proper sSeme
way that cfectually killed IL. The Board appropr
ated $4,000 for the construction OF addition 10 the
brownsone building. When Mr. MARITIME discovered that
for months during the time 10 be occupied In
building the addition all work In his Office and In the
courts would have be abandoned ne ,onnt OF the
noise and the tearing down OF the whole side wall. he
concluded 70 give the whole scheme But the rooms
Wakerst had been hired and 1t cost tho city about
So 900 to get out OF the lease.
The plan IN whcl.i officers OF the city have been
ticipaed by Assemblyman then discussed and
after the November election a bill was drawn up for
presentation TO this legislature It viii provide for the
construction of building upon the citys property ad
Joining the Tombs but will put the work In the hands OF
the regular departments and not entrnst 1t 10 special
commission. 1t will not contain any such absurd pro
vision the creation OF far judges. All work viii
be let to the lowest contract bidder. and the buildn
will be occupied by the Special Sessions. which
sits in the Tombs; by the Coroncrs the District
Attorney and four parts OF the General Sessions The
TomDs will then be used exclusively prison. This
bill has been held back until Mayor Hewitt gets well.
Dstrict-Attorney MARITIME and his assistant. Mr. Nco.
Corporation Counsel Lacombe. Rec rider smyth. Con
troller LOew and Tax Commissioner Coleman all OPP
posed to Mr. Ivess bll and 1t is not thought likely to
BASS its present shape,